Bianca and Remi stood shoulder to shoulder, watching as their babies—their girls—slid into the back seat of a waiting Lyft. Luggage packed neatly into the trunk, all the things they’d brought to Napa at the beginning of the summer, and the new things they’d picked up along the way—books, vinyl, little pieces of summer. Their memories were tucked alongside them.
As the Lyft pulled away, moving up the long pathway, past the vineyard and away from the house, they stood still—silently watching.
Just like that, they were gone.
They stood there for a while, long after the car was out of sight, letting the silence settle between them. Bianca took a slow sip of her coffee, which she held in her hand, now lukewarm.
“I think we might be all right. Me and Mila,” she said quietly, eyes still on the road from where the car had disappeared.
“I think you will too. She seems to be loosening up a bit.”
“I’m glad. I hope we’re on an upward trend.”
“Zoe didn’t seem sad at all,” Remi added. “Just waved … like it was easy.”
Bianca gave a soft laugh. “Maybe it was. For them.”
“But for us, not so much.” Remi nudged her gently with her shoulder. “We raised strong girls. This is what it’s supposed to look like, right?”
Bianca finally turned to her, almost glassy-eyed. “Yeah, it’s exactly what it’s supposed to look like.”
A breeze rustled the trees in the front lawn, as they stood for a moment.
Then Remi said, “So … what now?”
Bianca looked back toward the house, the doorway still open, the scent of bacon still lingering in the air.
“I guess we figure out who we are without them around,” she said.
They stepped back inside. Now that the girls were gone, quietness filled the space around them. Remi moved around in the kitchen, collecting empty plates and washing dishes in the sink.
Bianca slipped her hand into the pocket of her leggings and pulled out her phone. She scrolled her contacts until she found the number for her realtor in New Orleans. She needed to get that house on the market—and sooner rather than later.
Chapter Thirty-six
Remi
Ripe purple grapes hung heavily on the vines in the foreground of a vineyard. An inviting path leading to white houses off in the distance with red tile roofs—the houses were all nestled on a hillside and overlooking a valley. Remi stood there in awe, eyes tracing every brushstroke. The mural was complete. The piece would be the focal point of the tasting room.
She moved through the space with focus, doing a final walk-through to make sure everything was in order. The tasting was just a week away and every detail had to be perfect. Bottles of wine stood ready, lined neatly along the walnut table. Crisp white linens covered the high-top tables inside. The menu had been finalized. The caterers were prepped. The morning of the event, fresh flowers would be gathered from the garden outside and arranged into simple but elegant centerpieces for each table. Outside, strands of white lights hung like stars in waiting, ready to shine once the sun went down.
Everything was nearly ready. And it was beautiful.
Remi grabbed a chilled bottle of Pinot Grigio from thecooler and a single wineglass. She uncorked the bottle and then stepped outside to the garden. At the wrought-iron table she eased into a chair and poured herself a glass. She gazed at the vineyard and watched as the sun began to set, beautiful orange streaks painted in the sky. Her heart warmed at how the scene before her mirrored the mural inside. She smiled at the thought. She took a sip of the wine and settled into the chair.
Remi spotted Bianca heading down the path. The evening sun cast a glow against her skin. A sundress clung to her figure and a breeze blew gently through her hair.
“So, this is where you’ve been hiding,” she said with a smile once she reached the winery.
“I came over to see the mural and make sure everything was in order for next Saturday night,” Remi said. “Go inside and grab a glass. Join me.”
Bianca nodded as she headed inside.
“Check out that mural while you’re in there,” Remi called.
“Will do.”
Remi was lost in her thoughts. So much had happened over the course of the summer—layers shed, truths faced, hearts changed. And here they were nearing the end. They all had become something more than what they were when they first arrived in Napa. Everyone had evolved in one way or another.